Today's Features

Some consider her the icon of the age and worship at her shrine. Others find her to be oppressively present. Oprah Winfrey is obviously an impressive force in promoting ideas, books and people.

One of her more recent ventures was a series that confronted the topic of a debt-ridden people and the impact this raging disease has had on society. The professionals Winfrey engaged as presenters challenged the debtors—and by extension all of us—to change lifestyles.

During the eight-week program, Meissner completed a variety of training, which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.

During nine weeks of training, Hughes studied the Army mission and received instruction and training exercises in drill and ceremonies, Army history, core values and traditions, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, rifle marksmanship, weapons use, map reading and land navigation, foot marches, armed and unarmed combat, and field maneuvers and tactics.

Tammy McClain and Talbot Grissett, both of Ocean Isle Beach, announce their engagement and forthcoming marriage. The prospective bride is the daughter of Ray Lambert, of Ash, and Betty Lambert, of Concord. The prospective groom is the son of DeAnna Grissett, of Shallotte, and Kenneth and Frances Grissett, of Ocean Isle Beach. An Aug. 21 wedding is planned at Miss Caroline’s Country Wedding in Maggie Valley.

Denny and Lynn Ellis of Shallotte, announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Sara Ellis, of Shallotte, to Ian Carico of Supply. He is the son of Dicky and Anne Carico of Madison. An April 10, 2011, wedding is planned in Southport.

It is that time of year when the Master Gardener information phone starts to ring off the hook. Homeowners who have centipede grass in their yards realize that there is something wrong with the grass. It is dying in places, usually in a circular pattern.

The people who keep weather records tell me the last 60 days have been consistently the hottest since they started keeping records on such things. That’s probably not news to most of you. The heat has been brutal this year.

Have you ever just started out to make a simple dish for dinner and all of a sudden, it turns into a fantastic entrée?

I’m sure this happens all the time to most of us, right? Seriously though, I did start out to create a simple veal stew and somewhere along the way ended up with a modified version of veal stroganoff. Most veal stew consists of braised veal combined with potatoes, carrots, onions, etc. stewed in a large pot with some stock over low heat for a couple of hours.

The Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce’s JumpStart Speed Networking event will now be open to all business people interested in promoting their businesses.

A hot breakfast buffet will be included, courtesy of Starz Grille at Planet Fun in Shallotte. The cost is $10 per person for non-members. Members of the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce can attend at no charge.